MA Celtic and Scandinavian Studies
About this course
MA (Hons) in Celtic and Scandinavian Studies, a Celtic and German degree focusing on the languages, literatures, histories, and cultures of northern Europe. The course includes a full academic year spent abroad at one or two partner institutions. The first year covers foundational modules such as Celtic Civilisation 1A: Barbarians, Saints and Scholars, Celtic Civilisation 1B: Domination, Dislocation and Defiance, Scandinavian Civilisation A: Vikings, Sagas and the Road to Enlightenment, and Scandinavian Civilisation B: From National Romanticism to the Nordic Model, from the earliest times to the present. The second year features thematic studies including Heroes, Wonders, Saints and Sagas - covers medieval Welsh and Irish material, Songs, Swords, Rebels and Revivals - looks at texts from Gaelic Scotland and Early Modern and Modern Ireland, Cultural Responses to War, and Migration, Exile, Diaspora. The third year is spent abroad studying or working. The fourth year advances linguistic and literary scholarship through modules such as Old Norse Literature and Society, Viking Studies, Nynorsk, and Scandinavia and the World: Negotiating the North in the 21st Century.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
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What students say
Based on about 33 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 80%
- Learning opportunities: 69%
- Assessment and feedback: 70%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 56%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 67%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 10%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 20 graduates, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 30%
- South East: 5%
- Scotland: 45%
- Northern Ireland: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Modules
- Scottish Gaelic language pathway
- Celtic civilisation pathway
- Celtic Civilisation 1A: Barbarians, Saints and Scholars
- Celtic Civilisation 1B: Domination, Dislocation and Defiance
- Scandinavian Civilisation A: Vikings, Sagas and the Road to Enlightenment
- Scandinavian Civilisation B: From National Romanticism to the Nordic Model, from the earliest times to the present
- Scottish ethnology
- linguistics and English language
- European languages and cultures, including courses in Modern Icelandic
- Asian studies
- Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies
- business, economics and informatics
- politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
- art and architectural history
- history, classics and archaeology
- philosophy, divinity and law
- Heroes, Wonders, Saints and Sagas - covers medieval Welsh and Irish material
- Songs, Swords, Rebels and Revivals - looks at texts from Gaelic Scotland and Early Modern and Modern Ireland
- Cultural Responses to War
- Migration, Exile, Diaspora
- Crime and Detection in Literature
- Gender and Culture
- The Coming-of-Age Narrative
- Introduction to European Cinema
- Dynamics of Language and Power
- Languages Beyond University
- two semesters at a single institution or
- one semester at two different institutions (in different destinations)
- Student Wellbeing Service
- Student Counselling
- Student Disability and Learning Support
- University emergency helpline (available 24 hours a day)
- written language skills, including essay, commentary and summary writing
- translating fiction and non-fiction from your chosen Scandinavian language into English
- spoken language skills, including in understanding register and style
- Old Norse Literature and Society
- Viking Studies
- Nynorsk
- Scandinavia and the World: Negotiating the North in the 21st Century
- Contemporary Scandinavian Literature: A Transnational Approach
- History of the Scandinavian Novel
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Celtic and Scandinavian Studies at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 3 years, £31,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £41,000. The £31,000 median after five years is £3,000 more than the UK median for Celtic studies.
What do graduates of MA Celtic and Scandinavian Studies at University of Edinburgh do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Celtic and Scandinavian Studies at University of Edinburgh?
80% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Celtic and Scandinavian Studies at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 170 UCAS points.
Does MA Celtic and Scandinavian Studies at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Celtic and Scandinavian Studies at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.